U.S. patent number 4,515,170 [Application Number 06/492,978] was granted by the patent office on 1985-05-07 for ventilated mouthpiece for a smoking article.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation. Invention is credited to Daniel V. Cantrell, Robert A. Sanford.
United States Patent |
4,515,170 |
Cantrell , et al. |
May 7, 1985 |
Ventilated mouthpiece for a smoking article
Abstract
A ventilated mouthpiece adapted to be attached to a smoking
article, such as a cigarette, includes a generally cylindrical core
member of smoke and air impermeable material having a smoke inlet
end and a mouth end. The smoke inlet end is to be placed in
juxtaposition to one end of the tobacco column of the cigarette.
The core member is formed with a plurality of smoke flow
capillaries therethrough for delivering unfiltered smoke from the
tobacco column to the mouth end of the core member, and a plurality
of ventilation air flow channels which receive ambient ventilation
air and delivers the ventilation air to the mouth end of the core
member. The smoke outlets from each of the smoke flow capillaries
at the mouth end of the core member are located in close proximity
to and are radially situated inwardly of the mouth end of the core
member from the air outlets from the air flow channels.
Inventors: |
Cantrell; Daniel V. (Prospect,
KY), Sanford; Robert A. (Prospect, KY) |
Assignee: |
Brown & Williamson Tobacco
Corporation (Louisville, KY)
|
Family
ID: |
23958392 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/492,978 |
Filed: |
May 9, 1983 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/336;
131/339 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24D
3/043 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A24D
3/00 (20060101); A24D 3/04 (20060101); A24D
003/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;131/336,339,340,361,341 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Millin; V.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lamb; Charles G.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A ventilated mouthpiece for a cigarette, comprising:
a generally cylindrical core member fabricated entirely out of an
air and smoke impermeable material, the core member having a smoke
inlet end and mouth end;
means defining a plurality of ventilating air flow channels
extending along at least a portion of the core member, the air flow
channels being open to the mouth end of the core member providing
for the flow of only ventilating air therethrough to the outside of
the core member at the mouth end;
means providing for the flow of only ventilating air into the
ventilating air flow channels;
means defining a plurality of linear, cylindrically shaped smoke
flow capillaries extending through the core member from the smoke
inlet end to the mouth end of the core member, each smoke flow
capillary being open to the smoke inlet end of the core member and
open to the mouth end of the core member providing for the flow
therethrough of only smoke from the inlet end of the core member to
the outside of the core member at the mouth end; and
the openings of the smoke flow capillaries at the mouth end of the
core member being spaced inwardly generally radially of the core
member from the openings of the ventilating air flow channels at
the mouth end of the core member.
2. The mouthpiece defined in claim 1, wherein the means providing
for the flow of only ventilating air into the at least one
ventilating air flow channel comprises:
means defining an annular groove in the perimeter of the core
member, the ventilating air flow channels being in air flow
communication with the annular groove; and,
means providing for the flow of only ventilating air into the
annular groove.
3. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the openings of the plurality
of smoke flow capillaries at the mouth end of the core member are
recessed inwardly of the mouth end of the mouthpiece; and,
the openings of the ventilation air flow channels at the mouth end
of the core member are recessed inwardly of the mouth end of the
mouthpiece.
4. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein at least that portion of
smoke flow capillaries upstream of the smoke outlet openings of the
smoke flow capillaries are oriented at an angle to the longitudinal
axis of the core member outwardly toward the perimeter of the core
member in a direction toward the mouth end of the core member for
directing the flow of smoke exiting therefrom in a generally
radially outward direction of the core member and toward the flow
of ventilating air issuing from the air flow channels.
5. The mouthpiece of claim 1, further comprising means defining a
plurality of generally radially extending cavities formed in and
open to the mouth end of the core member, at least one smoke
capillary being in flow communication with each open cavity, and at
least one ventilating air channel being in flow communication with
each open cavity.
6. The mouthpiece of claim 5, wherein all of the open cavities are
in mutual flow communication at the proximate center of the core
member.
7. The ventilated mouthpiece of claim 1, further comprising means
defining a smoke plenum chamber in the core member; the plurality
of smoke flow capillaries being in smoke flow communication with
the smoke plenum chamber for receiving smoke therefrom.
8. The ventilated mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the means
providing for the flow of only ventilating air into the ventilating
air channels comprises air permeable tipping material
circumscribing the core member.
9. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the number of smoke flow
capillaries are equal to the number of air flow channels.
10. The mouthpiece of claim 9, wherein each of the openings of the
smoke flow capillaries at the mouth end of the core member is in
generally radial alignment with a different one of the openings of
the ventilating air flow channels at the mouth end of the core
member.
11. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the openings of the smoke
flow capillaries at the mouth end of the core member are grouped in
pairs, and each pair of openings is located adjacently to the
openings of a different one of the air channels at the mouth end of
the core member.
12. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein the air flow channels and
the smoke flow capillaries deliver an air to smoke flow ratio of
about 3 to 1 at the mouth end of the core member.
13. The mouthpiece of claim 1, wherein each of the smoke flow
capillaries has a cross-sectional area of from about 0.00125
cm.sup.2 to about 0.00385 cm.sup.2.
14. A cigarette comprising:
a tobacco column;
a generally cylindrical core member fabricated entirely out of an
air and smoke impermeable materials, the core member having a smoke
inlet end and a mouth end, and the core member being coaxially
located at one end of the tobacco column with the smoke inlet end
in juxtaposition to the end of the tobacco column;
means defining a plurality of ventilating air flow channels through
at least a portion of the core member and each having an open air
outlet to the mouth end of the core member;
means defining a plurality of linear, cylindrically shaped smoke
flow capillaries extending through the core member from the smoke
inlet end to the mouth end of the core member and each having an
open smoke outlet to the mouth end of the core member;
the openings of the smoke flow capillaries of the mouth end of the
core member being spaced inwardly generally radially of the core
member from the openings of the ventilating air flow channels at
the mouth end of the core member; and,
an air permeable tipping material circumscribing the core member
overlapping a portion of the tobacco column to attach the core
member to the tobacco column.
15. The cigarette of claim 14, wherein the circumscribing tipping
material extends longitudinally of the core member beyond the mouth
end thereby defining a recessed area at the mouth end of the core
member.
16. The cigarette of claim 14, further comprising:
an air permeable wrapper circumscribing the core number; and,
the tipping material circumscribing the wrapped core member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to smoke diluting devices, and more
particularly to a mouthpiece for a cigarette, or the like, which
delivers unfiltered smoke and ventilation air to the smoker's mouth
in separate streams, causing dilution of the smoke within the
smoker's mouth and turbulence to the smoke.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
It is well known in the art to add filters to cigarettes wherein
the filters are provided with ventilating means to bring ambient
air into the filter to dilute the smoke flowing through the filter.
The dilution of the smoke reduces the quantity of smoke
particulates as well as gas phase components which are delivered to
the mouth of the smoker.
Another method for diluting the smoke is to make the tobacco column
wrapper material permeable to air which allows for the introduction
of air along the entire length of the tobacco column where it mixes
with the smoke stream passing through the tobacco column thereby
diluting the smoke.
Yet another method is to provide generally longitudinal ventilation
air grooves in the periphery of a filter which grooves are open to
the mouth end of the filter. The filtered smoke leaving the mouth
end of the filter is mixed with the ventilation air exiting the
ventilation air grooves in the smoker's mouth whereat the smoke is
diluted. Examples of cigarette filters having grooves for the
introduction of ventilating air into the filtering end are shown in
the following Patents: U.S. Pat. No. 3,577,995; U.S. Pat. No.
3,572,347; U.S. Pat. No. 3,490,461; U. S. Pat. No. 1,718,122; U.S.
Pat. No. 3,788,330; U.S. Pat. No. 3,773,053; U.S. Pat. No.
3,752,165; U.S. Pat. No, 3,638,661; U.S. Pat. No. 3,608,561; U.S.
Pat. No. 3,910,288; and, U.S. Pat. No. 4,256,122.
It has also been proposed to provide a cigarette filter which
delivers a combination of air diluted filtered smoke and undiluted,
unfiltered smoke to the smoker's mouth. One such cigarette filter
is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,011 as being formed of a hollow
filter including a rigid non-deformable tube defining a smoke
passage for delivering unfiltered smoke to the smoker's mouth, a
concentric layer of filter material surrounding the tube, and a
perforated outer wrap for the passage of air into the layer of
filter material.
Devices for diluting unfiltered smoke with ventilating air before
the smoke enters a smoker's mouth are also known. One example of
such a device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,552,399. The device,
therein referred to as a filter for homogenizing air and smoke has
a blind ended, longitudinal central axial passageway open to either
the smoker's mouth or a filter element, a plurality of longitudinal
passageways surrounding and extending parallel to the central
passageway, and transverse passageways interconnecting the
longitudinal passageways and central passageway with each other and
with the ambient air. As the cirgarette to which the device is
attached is smoked, smoke and ambient air traverses the
longitudinal and central passageways wherein the smoke and air are
mixed before delivery to the smoker's mouth.
Devices are also known for delivering unfiltered smoke and
ventilation air to the smoker's mouth. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
4,023,576 shows a cigarette with a hollow mouthpiece which defines
a smoke chamber. The smoke chamber is separated from the tobacco
column by two spaced apart baffle plates which define a curved path
which the smoke must traverse before entering the smoke chamber.
The mouth end of the chamber is closed by a wall having a central
orifice for the flow of smoke out of the smoke chamber into the
smoker's mouth. The exterior surface of the mouthpiece is provided
with longitudinal grooves which cooperate with an overlaying
perforated tipping paper to define flow paths for ventilating air.
When a smoker draws on the mouthpiece, undiluted, unfiltered smoke
is drawn from the tobacco column into the smoke chamber and through
the outlet orifice centrally of the mouthpiece and into the
smoker's mouth. At the same time, ventilation air is drawn in
through the tipping paper and longitudinal grooves to mix with the
undiluted smoke within the smoker's mouth.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention advantageously provides a straight forward
arrangement for a ventilated mouthpiece for a cigarette for
lowering tar by ventilation. The present invention also provides a
mouthpiece for a cigarette which enhances the perceived taste of a
cigarette while lowering tar by ventilation. The present invention
even further provides a mouthpiece of the class described which is
adapted to produce a pressure drop and, therefore, draw effort
which is less than the draw effort of a conventional filtered
cigarette.
More particularly, the present invention provides a ventilated
mouthpiece for a cigarette comprising a generally cylindrical core
member fabricated of an air and smoke impermeable material, the
core member having the smoke inlet end and mouth end; means
defining a plurality of ventilating air flow channels extending
along at least a portion of the core member, the air flow channels
being open to the mouth end of the core member providing for the
flow of only ventilating air therethrough to the outside of the
core member at the mouth end; means providing for the flow of only
ventilating air into the ventilating air flow channels; means
defining a plurality of smoke flow capillaries extending through
the core member, each smoke flow capillary being open to the smoke
inlet end of the core member and open to the mouth end of the core
member providing for the flow therethrough of only smoke from the
inlet end of the core member to the outside of the core member at
the mouth end; and, each of the openings of the smoke flow
capillaries at the mouth end of the core member being adjacent to,
and spaced inwardly generally radially of the core member from an
opening of the ventilating air flow channels at the mouth end of
the core member.
It is to be understood that the description of the following
examples of the present invention given hereinafter are not by way
of limitation and various modifications will occur to those skilled
in the art upon reading the disclosure set forth hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The various features and advantages of the present invention will
become clear upon reference to the following description and
accompanying drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts
throughout, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one advantageous embodiment of a
mouthpiece of the present invention, attached to a cigarette
tobacco column;
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece of
FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction of arrows 2--2 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another advantageous embodiment of
a mouthpiece of the present invention attached to a cigarette
tobacco column;
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece of
FIG. 3 as viewed in the direction of arrows 4--4 in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a further advantageous embodiment
of a mouthpiece of the present invention attached to a cigarette
tobacco column;
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece of
FIG. 5 as viewed in the direction of arrows 6--6 in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of yet a further advantageous
embodiment of a mouthpiece of the present invention attached to a
cigarette tobacco column;
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece of
FIG. 7 as viewed in the direction of arrows 8--8 in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of yet a further advantageous
embodiment of a mouthpiece of the present invention attached to a
cigarette tobacco column;
FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece of
FIG. 9 as viewed in the direction of arrows 10--10 in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a mouthpiece of the present
invention circumscribed by an air permeable wrapper and attached to
a cigarette tobacco column by air permeable tipping material;
and,
FIG. 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cigarette
assembly of FIG. 11 as viewed in the direction of arrows 11--11 in
FIG. 11.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1 and 2 show one advantageous embodiment of a ventilated
mouthpiece, generally denoted as the number 10, of the present
invention attached to a cigarette tobacco column 12. The mouthpiece
10 is shown as comprising a generally cylindrical core member 14,
fabricated of an air and smoke impermeable material, and having a
smoke inlet end 16 and a mouth end 18. The core member 14 is
coaxially located at one end of the tobacco column 12 with the
inlet end 16 in juxtaposition to one end of the tobacco column 12.
The core member 14 is shown as being attached to the tobacco column
12 by air permeable tipping material 20 which circumscribes the
core member 14 and overlaps a portion of the tobacco column 12. In
FIG. 1, the tipping material 20 is shown partially unwrapped to
show details of the core member 14.
The core member 14 includes a plurality of ventilating air channels
22 extending along at least a portion of the core member 14. The
ventilating air channels 22 are shown as being generally
longitudinally extending grooves formed in the peripheral surface
of the core member 14. While as illustrated for the sake of
clearness in the drawings, the air channels 22 comprise four
grooves equally spaced about the circumference of the core member.
It has been found that the advantageous results of the present
invention are obtained using from three to seven air grooves 22.
Each groove is open, as designated by the number 23, to the mouth
end 18 of the core member 14 and extends therefrom in a generally
longitudinal direction of the core member 14 for a distance less
than the length of the core member. The air channels or grooves 22
deliver ventilating air therethrough to the outside of the core
member at the mouth end 18. The flow of only ventilating air into
the ventilating air channels 22 is shown as being accomplished by
means of the air permeable tipping material 20. For the sake of
illustration, the air permeability is provided by means of small
perforations 26 formed through the tipping material communicating
with the ventilating air channels 22. Alternately, the tipping
material 20 can be fabricated of a porous material.
The core member 14 further comprises a plurality of smoke flow
capillaries 28 extending through the core member 14 from the smoke
inlet end 16 to the mouth end 18. Each smoke flow capillary is open
at one end to the smoke inlet end 16 of the core member 14 and
open, as designated by the number 29, at its opposite end to the
mouth end 18 of the core member 14, thus, providing for the flow of
only smoke through the capillaries 28 from the inlet end 16 to the
outside of the core member 14 at the mouth end 18. The plurality of
smoke flow capillaries 28 are shown as being equal in number to the
number of air flow channels 22 with the openings 29 of the smoke
flow capillaries 28 at the mouth end 18 of the core member 14
located in a circular array about the longitudinal axis of the core
member 14. The outlet 29 of each smoke flow capillary 28 is closely
adjacent to, in generally radial alignment with and generally
radially, inwardly spaced from an air outlet 23 of a different one
of the air flow channels 22. Preferably, the air channels 22 and
smoke capillaries 28 are appropriately sized numbered to provide a
total air to smoke flow ratio of about 3 to 1. Thus, in the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the number of air channels
22 being equal to the number of smoke capillaries 28, the
cross-sectional area of each of the air flow channels 22 is about
three times the cross-sectional area of each of the smoke
capillaries 28. It has been determined that the cross-sectional
area of each smoke capillary 28 should be on the order of from
about 0.00125 cm.sup.2 to about 0.00385 cm.sup.2. The spacing
between an air outlet 23 of an air flow channel 22 and the smoke
outlet 29 of a smoke capillary 28 adjacent thereto is as close as
practically possible still leaving a portion of air and smoke
permeable material between them.
It is contemplated that the mouth end 18 of the core member 14 can
be recessed. This can be accomplished by extending the tipping
material 20 longitudinally of the core member 14 beyond the mouth
end 18 of the core member 14.
It is also contemplated that some of the smoke flow capillaries 28
be of smaller diameter than other smoke flow capillaries 28 to
provide, what is termed in the industry, a programmed smoke flow to
the mouth end 18 of the core member 14. As the cigarette is smoked,
the smoke flow capillaries 28 become blocked reducing the smoke
flow therethrough. By varying the diameters of some of the smoke
flow capillaries 28, the rate at which the various capillaries
become progressively blocked can be adjusted to provide a gradual,
programmed reduction in the amount of smoke delivered to the mouth
end 18 of the core member 14 as the cigarette is smoked.
When a smoker draws on the ventilated mouthpiece 10, ventilating
air is drawn into the air channels 22 through the perforations 26
in the tipping material 20. The air flows along the ventilating air
channels 22 and is discharged through the open outlets 23 at the
mouth end 18 and into the smoker's mouth. Concurrently, smoke from
the tobacco column 12 is drawn into the smoke flow capillaries 28
through their openings at the smoke inlet end 16 of the core member
14 and is delivered, unfiltered, to the mouth end 18 of the core
member 14 through the outlet openings 29 of the smoke capillaries
28 at the mouth end 18 of the core member 14 and into the smoker's
mouth closely adjacent to the ventilation air flow and exiting the
air channels 22. The ventilating air from the air channels 22
co-mingles with the unfiltered smoke from the capillaries 28
diluting the smoke and causing turbulence. The air and smoke
leaving the mouth end 18 of the core member 14 near the periphery
of the mouth end results in an enhanced perception of taste to the
smoker because the smoke is dispensed over a larger area of the
oral cavity, thus stimulating more of the smoker's "taste
buds".
Now with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is illustrated another
advantageous embodiment of a ventilated mouthpiece, generally
denoted as the number 110, of the present invention attached to a
cigarette tobacco column 112. The mouthpiece 110 is shown as
comprising a generally cylindrical core member 114, fabricated of
an air and smoke impermeable material, and having a smoke inlet end
116 and a mouth end 118. The core member 114 is coaxially located
at one end of the tobacco column 112 with the inlet end 116 in
juxtaposition to the end of the tobacco column 112. The core member
114 is shown as being attached to the tobacco column 112 by air
permeable tipping material 120 which circumscribes the core member
114 and overlaps a portion of the tobacco column 112. In FIG. 3 the
tipping material 120 is shown as partially unwrapped to illustrate
details of the core member 114.
The core member 114 includes a plurality of ventilating air
channels 122 extending along at least a portion of the core member
114. The ventilating air channels 122 are shown as being generally
longitudinally extending closed ducts formed within the core member
114 and open, as designated by the number 123, to the mouth end 118
of the core member 114 for delivering ventilating air therethrough
to the outside of the core member at the mouth end 118. As shown,
the air channels 122 comprise four ducts equally spaced from each
other in a circular array with their open outlets 123 being spaced
inwardly of the peripheral surface of the core member 114. However,
it should be understood that advantageous results are obtained
using from three to seven air channels 122. The flow of only
ventilating air into the ventilating air channels 122 is
accomplished by means of an annular ventilating air accumulation
groove 124 formed in the perimeter of the core member 114. Each of
the ventilating air channels 122 has one end, designated as the
number 125, open to the annular air accumulation groove 124 to
establish air flow communication between the annular groove 124 and
the air channels 122. The openings 125 of the air channels 122 in
the annular groove 124 are preferably equally spaced about the
groove 124. The flow of ventilating air from the ambient into the
ventilating air accumulation groove 124 is shown as being
accomplished by means of the air permeable tipping material 120.
For example, the air permeability is provided by means of small
perforations 126 formed through the tipping material communicating
with the ventilating air accumulation groove 124. The tipping
material 120 could be fabricated of a porous material thereby
eliminating the air flow perforations 126.
The core member 114 further comprises a plurality of smoke flow
capillaries 128 extending through the core member 114 from the
smoke inlet end 116 to the mouth end 118 of the core member 114.
Each smoke flow capillary is open at one end to end 116 and open,
as designated by the number 129, at its opposite end to the mouth
end 118 of the core member, thus, providing for the flow of only
smoke through the capillaries 128 from the inlet end 116 to the
outside of the core member 114 at the mouth end 118. The plurality
of smoke flow capillaries 128 are shown, by way of example, as
being equal in number to the number of air flow channels 122 with
the openings 129 of the smoke flow capillaries 128 at the mouth end
118 of the core member 114 located in a circular array about the
longitudinal axis of the core member 114. The outlet openings 129
of each smoke flow capillary 128 is closely adjacent to, in
generally radial alignment with the generally radially inwardly
spaced from an air outlet opening 123 of a different one of the air
flow channels 122. Preferably, the air flow channels 122 and smoke
flow capillaries are sized and numbered to provide a total air to
smoke ratio of about 3 to 1. Thus, for the reason that in the
illustration of FIGS. 3 and 4 the number of smoke flow capillaries
128 is equal to the number of air channels 122 the cross-sectional
area of each air flow channel 122 is about three times the
cross-sectional area of each of the smoke capillaries 128. The
spacing between an air outlet 123 of an air flow channel 122 and
the smoke outlet 129 of a smoke capillary 128 adjacent thereto is
as close as practically possible still leaving a partition of smoke
and air impermeable material between them. Furthermore, it has been
determined that advantageous results are obtained if the
cross-sectional area of each of the smoke capillaries is from about
0.00125 cm.sup.2 to about 0.00385 cm.sup.2.
As with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, it is also contemplated
that the smoke flow capillaries 128 be of various diameters to
provide a programmed smoke flow therethrough.
As illustrated, the smoke outlet openings 129 and the ventilating
air outlet openings 123 are recessed inwardly of the mouth end 118.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the recessing of the smoke
outlet openings 129 and the ventilating air outlet openings 123 is
accomplished by forming cavities 130 into which the smoke and
ventilating air are discharged. The number of cavities 130 is equal
in number to the number of aligned, grouped air and smoke outlet
openings, and a different ground pair of air and smoke outlet
openings discharge air and smoke in separate streams into different
ones of the cavities 130. Each cavity 130 extends from the
perimeter of the core member 114 generally radially of the core
member toward the center thereof. As shown, each cavity 130 is open
to the core mouth end 118 and all of the cavities 130 are in mutual
flow communication at the proximate center of the core member
118.
When a smoker draws on the ventilated mouthpiece 110, ventilating
air is drawn into the annular air accumulation groove 124 through
the perforations 126 in the tipping material 120. The air flows
from the air accumulation groove 124 into ventilation air channels
122 through the inlet openings 125, and is discharged through the
outlet openings 123 at the mouth end 118 into the cavities 130. The
annular accumulation groove 124 functions in the manner of a plenum
to control the pressure drop of the ventilating air and provide an
even distribution of ventilating air flowing into the ventilating
channels 122. At the same time, smoke from the tobacco column 112
is drawn through the smoke flow capillaries 128 and is discharged
through the outlet openings 129 into the open cavities 130 at the
mouth end 118 of the core member 114. The ventilating air from the
air channels 122 co-mingles with the unfiltered smoke from the
capillaries 128 diluting the smoke and causing turbulence. The air
and smoke leaving the mouth end 118 of the core member 114 near the
periphery of the mouth end results in an enhanced perception of
taste to the smoker.
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a further advantageous embodiment of a
ventilated mouthpiece, generally denoted as the number 210, of the
present invention attached to a cigarette tobacco column 212. The
mouthpiece 210 is illustrated as comprising a generally cylindrical
core member 214, fabricated of an air and smoke impermeable
material and having a smoke inlet end 216 and a mouth end 218. The
core member 214 is coaxially located at one end of the tobacco
column 212 with the inlet end 216 in juxtaposition to the end of
the tobacco column 212. The core member 214 is shown as being
attached to the tobacco column 212 by air permeable tipping
material 220 which circumscribes the core member 214 and overlaps a
portion of the tobacco column 212. The tipping material 220 is
shown as partially unwrapped to show details of the core member
214.
The core member 214 includes a plurality of ventilating air
channels 222 extending through at least a portion of the core
member 214. The ventilating air channels 222 are shown as being
generally longitudinally extending grooves formed in the peripheral
surface of the core member 214. As illustrated, the air channels
222 comprise four grooves equally spaced about the circumference of
the core member although from three to seven air channels 222 can
advantageously be employed. Each groove is open, as designated by
the number 223, to the mouth end 218 of the core member 214 and
extends therefrom in a generally longitudinal direction of the core
member 214, for a distance less than the length of the core member.
The air channels or grooves 222 deliver ventilating air
therethrough to the outside of the core member at the mouth end
218. The flow of only ventilating air into the ventilating channels
222 is shown as being accomplished by means of the air permeable
tipping material 220. By way of example, the air permeability is
provided by means of small perforations 226 formed through the
tipping material communicating with the ventilating air channels
222. Alternately, the tipping material can be fabricated of a
porous material.
The core member 214 is shown as further comprising a smoke plenum
chamber 227 formed at the linlet end 216 of the core member 214
open to the tobacco column 212 by means of, for example, a port
227A. A plurality of smoke flow capillaries 228 extends through the
core member 214 from the smoke plenum chamber 227 at the smoke
inlet end 216 to the mouth end 218 of the core member. Each smoke
flow capillary 228 is open to the smoke plenum chamber 227 and
open, as designated by the number 229, to the mouth end 218 of the
core member, thus, providing for the flow of only unfiltered smoke
through the capillaries 228 from the smoke plenum chamber 227 to
the outside of the core member 214 at the mouth end 218. The number
of smoke flow capillaries 228 is shown as being equal to the number
of ventilating air channels 222 with the outlet openings 229 of the
smoke flow capillaries 228 at the mouth end 218 of the core member
disposed in a circular array about the longitudinal axis of the
core member. The outlet opening 229 of each smoke flow capillary
228 is closely adjacent to, are illustrated as being in generally
radial alignment with and generally radially, inwardly spaced from
an air outlet opening 223 of a different one of the air flow
channels 222. Preferably, the air to smoke ratio should be on the
order of about 3 to 1 and, therefore, for the reason that in the
illustrated embodiment the number of smoke capillaries 228 and air
channels 222 are equal, the cross-sectional area of each of the air
flow channels 222 is about three times the cross-sectional area of
each of the smoke flow capillaries 228 with the cross-sectional
area of each of the smoke capillaries 228 being on the order of
from about 0.00125 cm.sup.2 to about 0.00385 cm.sup.2. The spacing
between an air outlet openings 223 and a smoke outlet openings 229
adjacent thereto is as close as practically possible still leaving
a portion of smoke and air impermeable material between them. As
shown, the portion of the smoke flow capillaries 228 immediately
upstream of the smoke outlet openings 229 have their longitudinal
axes oriented at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the core
member such that the portions of the capillaries 228 immediately
upstream of the outlet openings angle outwardly toward the
perimeter of the core member in a direction toward the mouth end
218. That is, the longitudinal axes of the capillaries 228
immediately upstream of the outlet openings diverge in the
direction of the smoke flow therethrough. As illustrated, the
portion of the smoke capillaries 228 immediately downstream of the
smoke plenum chamber 227 have their longitudinal axes oriented to
angle toward the longitudinal axis of the core member in a
direction from the smoke plenum chamber 227 toward the mouth end of
the core member.
As shown, the open smoke outlet openings 229 of the smoke
capillaries 228 and the ventilating air outlet openings 223 of the
air channels 222 are recessed inwardly of the core mouth end 218.
The recessing of the smoke outlet openings and air outlet openings
is accomplished by forming cavities 230 into which the smoke and
ventilating air are discharged. The number of cavities 230 is equal
to the number of grouped air and smoke outlet openings, and a
different grouped pair of air and smoke outlet openings discharge
air and smoke in separate streams into a different cavity 230. Each
cavity 230 extends from the perimeter of the core member 214
generally radially of the core member toward the center thereof. As
shown, each cavity 230 is open to the core mouth end 218 and all of
the cavities 230 are in mutual flow communication at the proximate
center of the core member 214.
When a smoker draws on the ventilated mouthpiece 210, ventilating
air is drawn into the air channels 222 through the perforations 226
in the tipping material 220. The air flows through the ventilating
air channels 222, and is discharged through the outlet openings 223
at the mouth end 218 into the cavities 230. Simultaneously, smoke
from the tobacco column 212 is drawn into the smoke plenum chamber
227 through port 227A at the inlet end 216 of the core member 214
and flows, unfiltered, through the capillaries 228, and is
discharged into the cavities 230 at the mouth end 218 of the core
member through the outlet openings 229 of the capillaries. The
radial outward angle of the smoke capillaries 228 upstream of the
outlet openings 229 directs the flow of smoke exiting therefrom in
a generally radially outward direction of the core member impinging
into the flow of ventilating air issuing from the outlet openings
223 of the air flow channels 222 diluting the smoke, creating
turbulence therein and carrying the diluted smoke generally
radially outwardly of the mouthpiece into close proximity to the
smoker's "taste buds".
FIGS. 7 and 8 show yet another advantageous embodiment of a
ventilated mouthpiece, generally denoted as the numeral 310, of the
present invention attached to a cigarette tobacco column 312. The
mouthpiece 310 is illustrated as comprising a generally cylindrical
core member 314, fabricated of an air and smoke impermeable
material and having a smoke inlet end 316 and a mouth end 318. The
core member 314 is coaxially located at one end of the tobacco
column 312 with the inlet end 316 in juxtaposition to one end of
the tobacco column 312. The core member 314 is shown as being
attached to the tobacco column 312 by air permeable tipping
material 320 which circumscribes the core member 314 and overlaps a
portion of the tobacco column 312. The tipping material 320 is
shown as partially unwrapped to show details of the core member
314.
The core member 314 includes a plurality of ventilating air
channels 322 extending generally longitudinally along at least a
portion of the core member 314. While FIG. 7 shows four ventilating
air channels 322 equally spaced apart about the circumference of
the core member 314 preferably from three to seven air channels 322
are incorporated in the core member 314. Each ventilating air
channel comprises a groove portion 322A and a coaxially aligned
closed duct portion 322B. The groove portion 322A is formed in the
peripheral surface of the core member 314 extending longitudinally
of the core member from a location short of the core member inlet
end 316 to a location between the core member inlet end 316 and
core member mouth end 318 whereat it merges with the coaxially
aligned, closed duct portion 322B which is formed within the core
member and extends from the location of merger to the core member
mouth end 318. The closed duct portion 322B of each air channel 322
is open, as designated by the number 323, to the core member mouth
end 318 and open, as designated by the number 325, to the groove
portion 322A. The outlet opening 323 of each duct portion 322B is
spaced inwardly of the peripheral surface of the core member 314.
The flow of only ventilating air into the ventilating air channels
322 is shown as being accomplished by means of the air permeable
tipping material 320. By way of example, the air permeability is
provided by means of small perforations 326 formed through the
tipping material communicating with the groove potions 322A of the
ventilating air channels 322. Alternatively, the tipping material
can be fabricated of a porous material.
The core member 314 is shown as further comprising a smoke plenum
chamber 327 formed at the inlet end 316 of the core member 314 open
to the tobacco column 312 by means of, for example, a port 327A. A
plurality of smoke flow capillaries 328 extend through the core
member 314 from the smoke plenum chamber 327 at the smoke inlet end
316 to the mouth end 318 of the core member 314. Each smoke flow
capillary 328 is open to the smoke plenum chamber 327 and open, as
designated by the number 329, to the mouth end 318 of the core
member, thus, providing for the flow of unfiltered smoke through
the capillaries 328 from the smoke plenum chamber 327 to the
outside of the core member 314 at the mouth end 318. As shown, the
number of smoke flow capillaries 328 is equal to the number of
ventilating air channels 322. The outlet openings 329 of the smoke
flow capillaries 328 at the mouth end 318 of the core member are
disposed in a circular array about the longitudinal axes of the
core member. The outlet opening 329 of the each smoke flow
capillary 328 is closely adjacent to, in generally radial alignment
with and generally radially, inwardly spaced from an air outlet
opening 323 of a different one of the air flow channels 322. The
air to smoke ratio is preferably about 3 to 1 and, therefore, in
the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, the cross-sectional
area of each of the air flow channels 322 is about three times the
cross-sectional area of each of the smoke flow capillaries 328. As
with the other embodiments discussed above, the cross-sectional
area of each smoke capillary 328 is preferably from about 0.00125
cm.sup.2 to about 0.00385 cm.sup.2. The spacing between an air
outlet opening 323 and a smoke outlet opening 329 adjacent thereto
is as close as possible still leaving a partition of air and smoke
impermeable material between them. As shown, the smoke flow
capillaries are oriented with their longitudinal axes at an angle
to the longitudinal axes of the core member 314 such that they
angle outwardly toward the perimeter of the core member in a
direction toward the mouth and 318.
As illustrated, the smoke outlet openings 329 of the smoke
capillaries 328 and the ventilating air outlet openings 323 of the
air channels 322 are recessed inwardly of the core mouth end 318.
The recessing of the smoke outlet openings and air outlet openings
is accomplished by forming cavities 330 into which the smoke and
ventilating air are discharged. The number of cavities 330 is equal
to the number of grouped air and smoke outlet openings, and a
different grouped pair of air and smoke outlet openings discharge
air and smoke in separate streams into different ones of the
cavities 330. Each cavity 330 extends from the perimeter of the
core member 314 generally radially of the core member toward the
center thereof. As shown, each cavity 330 is open to the core mouth
end 318 and all of the cavities 330 are in mutual flow
communication at the proximate center of the core member 314.
When a smoker draws on the ventilated mouthpiece 310, ventilating
air is drawn into the air channels 322 through the perforations 326
in the tipping material 320. The air flows through the ventilating
air channels 322, and is discharged through the outlet openings 323
at the mouth end 318 into the cavities 330. Simultaneously, smoke
from the tobacco column 312 is drawn into the smoke plenum chamber
327 through the port 327A at the inlet end 316 of the core member
314 and flows, unfiltered through the capillaries 328, and is
discharged into the cavities 330 at the core member mouth end 318
through the outlet openings 329 of the capillaries. The radial
outward angle of the smoke capillaries 328 directs the flow of
smoke exiting therefrom in a generally radially outward direction
of the core member impinging into the flow of ventilating air
issuing from the outlet openings 323 of the air flow channels 322
diluting the smoke, creating turbulence therein and carrying the
diluted smoke generally radially outward of the mouthpiece in close
proximity to the smoker's "taste buds".
FIGS. 9 and 10 show yet a further advantageous embodiment of a
ventilated mouthpiece, generally denoted as the number 410, of the
present invention attached to a cigarette tobacco column 412. The
mouthpiece 410 is illustrated as comprising a generally cylindrical
core member 414, fabricated of an air and smoke impermeable
material and having a smoke inlet end 416 and a mouth end 418. The
core member 414 is coaxially located at one end of the tobacco
column 412 with the inlet end 416 in juxtaposition to one end of
the tobacco column 412. The core member 414 is shown as being
attached to the tobacco column 412 by air permeable tipping
material 420 which circumscribes the core member 414 and overlaps a
portion of the tobacco column 412. The tipping material 420 is
shown as partially unwrapped to show details of the core member
414.
The core member 414 includes a plurality of ventilating air
channels 422 extending generally longitudinally along at least a
portion of the core member 414. The ventilating air channels 422
are shown as being generally longitudinally extending closed ducts
formed within the core member 414 and open, as designated by the
number 423, to the mouth end 418 of the core member 414 for
delivering ventilating air therethrough to the outside of the core
member at the mouth end 418. As shown, the air channels 422
comprise three ducts equally spaced from each other in a circular
array with their open outlets 423 being spaced inwardly of the
peripheral surface of the core member 414. The flow of only
ventilating air into the ventilating air channels 422 is
accomplished by means an annular ventilating air accumulation
groove 424 formed in the perimeter of the core member 414. Each of
the ventilating air channels 422 has one end, designated by the
number 425, open to the annular air accumulation groove 424 to
establish air flow communication between the annular groove 424 and
the air channels 422. The openings 425 of the air channels 422 in
the annular groove 424 are preferably equally spaced about the
groove 424. The flow of ventilating air from the ambient into the
ventilating air accumulation groove 424 is shown as being
accomplished by means of the air permeable tipping material. For
example, the air permeability is provided by means of small
perforations 426 formed through the tipping material communicating
with the ventilating air accumulation groove 424. The tipping
material 420 could be fabricated of a porous material thereby
eliminating the air flow perforation 426.
The core member 414 further comprises a plurality of smoke flow
capillaries 428 extending through the core member 414 from the
smoke inlet end 416 to the mouth end 418 of the core member 414.
Each smoke flow capillary is open at one end to the inlet end 416
and open, as designated by the number 429, at its opposite end to
the mouth end 418 of the core member, thus, providing for the flow
of only smoke through the smoke capillaries 428 from the inlet end
416 to the outside of the core member 414 at the mouth end 418. The
plurality of smoke flow capillaries 428 are shown, by way of
example, as being double in number to the number of air channels
422, and more specifically six in number. The smoke capillaries 428
are grouped in pairs with the outlet openings 429 of each pair of
smoke capillaries being located closely adjacent the outlet opening
423 of a different one of the air channels 422. The outlet openings
429 of each pair of smoke capillaries 428 are spaced to either side
of and generally radially of the core member 414 inwardly of the
adjacent outlet openings 423 of the air channel 422. The air
channels 422 and smoke capillaries 428 preferably provide
approximately a 3 to 1 air to smoke ratio. Furthermore, it has been
determined that advantageous results are obtained if the
cross-sectional area of each of the smoke capillaries is from about
0.00125 cm.sup.2 to about 0.00385 cm.sup.2.
As illustrated, the smoke outlet openings 429 and the ventilating
air outlet openings 423 are recessed inwardly of the core member
mouth end 418. In the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10, the recessing
is accomplished by forming cavities 430 into which the smoke and
ventilating air are discharged. The number of cavities 430 is equal
in number to the number of grouped smoke and air outlet openings.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10, there are three such cavities
430, and a different one of the grouped air and smoke outlet
openings discharge air and smoke in separate streams into different
ones of the cavities 430.
When a smoker draws on the ventilated mouthpiece 410, ventilated
air is drawn into the annular air accumulation groove 424 through
the perforations 426 in the tipping material 420. The air flows
from the air accumulation groove 424 into the ventilation air
channels 422 through the inlet openings 426, and is discharged
through the outlet openings 423 at the mouth end 418 into the
cavities 430. The annular acccumulation groove 424 functions in the
manner of a plenum to control the pressure drop of the ventilating
air and provides an even distribution of ventilating air flowing
into the air channels 422. Concurrently, smoke from the tobacco
column 412 is drawn through the smoke capillaries 428 and is
discharged through the outlet openings 429 into the open cavities
430 at the mouth end 418 of the core member 414. The ventilating
air from the air channels 422 co-mingles with the unfiltered smoke
from the capillaries 428 diluting the smoke and causing turbulence.
The air and smoke leaving the mouth end 418 of the core member 414
near the periphery of the mouth end results in an enhanced
perception of taste to the smoker.
With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, there is shown a ventilated
mouthpiece, generally denoted as the number 510, attached to a
cigarette tobacco column 512. The mouthpiece 510 is shown as
comprising a generally cylindrical core number 514 fabricated of an
air and smoke impermeable material and having a smoke inlet end 516
and a mouth end 518. It should be clearly understood that the core
member 514 is generic to all of the above discussed core members,
i.e., any of the core members can be considered to be the core
member 514. Therefore, no details of the smoke capillaries and air
flow channels are shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, nor will they be
discussed hereinafter. The core member 514 is coaxially located at
one end of the tobacco column 512 with the inlet end 516 in
juxtaposition to the end of the tobacco column 512. It is
foreseeable that the core member 514 will be fabricated of a
relatively hard, smooth plastic material to which it may be
difficult to adhesively attach a tipping material 520. As
illustrated, to overcome this potential problem, the core member
514 is circumscribed with an air permeable wrapper 521, and the
wrapped core member is attached to the tobacco column 512 by the
air permeable tipping material 520 which circumscribes the wrapped
core member and overlaps a portion of the tobacco column 512. The
tipping material is adhesively secured to the wrapper 521 and the
overlapped portion of the tobacco column 512. In FIG. 11, both the
air permeable wrapper 521 and air permeable tipping material 520
are shown in a partially unwrapped position to more clearly show
their relationship with the core member 514. In order to compensate
for the thickness of the air permeable wrapper 521, it is
contemplated that the diameter of the core member 514 be smaller
than the diameter of the tobacco column 512 by an amount
substantially equal to twice the thickness of the air permeable
wrapper 521 so that the perimeter of the wrapped core member 514 is
generally coextensive with the perimeter of the tobacco column
512.
The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness
of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be
understood therefrom for modifications will become obvious to those
skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and can be made
without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *